A roll forming device for forming a variable thickness plate is disclosed. A roll forming device for forming a variable thickness plate according to one or a plurality of exemplary embodiments may include both-side stand frames that are disposed at a left side and a right side on a process base at a predetermined distance from each other and in which a sliding groove is formed at a center portion in an up and down direction, a lower forming roll unit in which a lower forming roll is fixed on a lower rotation shaft such that both end portions are rotatably disposed on a lower sliding block that is fixed to a lower portion of each sliding groove on the both-side stand frames, an upper forming roll unit in which an upper forming roll is fixed on an upper rotation shaft such that both end portions are rotatably disposed at an upper sliding block that is disposed on each sliding groove of the both-side stand frames to be slidably moved in an up and down direction at an upper portion of the lower forming roll unit, a forming roll gap adjustment unit that adjusts an initial gap between the lower forming roll and the upper forming roll, wherein a worm wheel and a worm gear are operated in an adjustment block of each upper portion of the both-side stand frames and an adjustment screw that is screw-engaged to a center of the worm wheel in an up and down direction adjusts an up-down direction position of the both-side upper sliding blocks, and a spring unit that is disposed between the adjustment screw and the upper sliding block within each sliding groove of the both-side stand frames, absorbs a forming reaction force that is applied to the upper forming roll according to a thickness variation of a plate that is to be formed, and simultaneously maintains a forming pressure of the upper forming roll within a predetermined range.

A method for producing a metal sheet with raised lines uses a rolling mill including roll stands. In a preparing step, a grooved roll is prepared, the grooved roll including grooves. In a choosing step, a stand at least one stage before the last stand is chosen. In an incorporating step, the grooved roll is incorporated in as an upper roil of the chosen, specified stand. In a forming step, a workpiece is formed into a metal sheet with raised lines formed corresponding to the respective grooves. In the forming step, a maximum rolling reduction achieved by rolls of the specified stand is set to a provisional value that is lower than a required value. After the leading edge of the workpiece reaches the stand next to the specified stand, the maximum rolling reduction of the specified stand is changed to the required value.

The present invention relates to a method for producing a lightweight sheet-metal component with varying wall thicknesses, characterized by the following method steps: extruding a lightweight metal to form a profile with a non-planar profile cross section, wherein the wall thicknesses of the profile cross section differ from one another in at least two regions, cutting the profile to length into profile pieces, widening the profile pieces, forming the flattened profile piece into a three-dimensional shaped sheet-metal component, wherein the sheet-metal component has at least two regions with wall thicknesses that are different from one another.

A longitudinal beam for a motor vehicle and also to a method for the production of the longitudinal beam is disclosed. The longitudinal beam is produced from a lightweight metal profile. The extrusion direction of the lightweight metal profile runs transverse to the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal beam.

A roll forming device for forming a variable thickness plate is disclosed. A roll forming device for forming a variable thickness plate according to one or a plurality of exemplary embodiments may include both-side stand frames that are disposed at a left side and a right side on a process base at a predetermined distance from each other and in which a sliding groove is formed at a center portion in an up and down direction, a lower forming roll unit in which a lower forming roll is fixed on a lower rotation shaft such that both end portions are rotatably disposed on a lower sliding block that is fixed to a lower portion of each sliding groove on the both-side stand frames, an upper forming roll unit in which an upper forming roll is fixed on an upper rotation shaft such that both end portions are rotatably disposed at an upper sliding block that is disposed on each sliding groove of the both-side stand frames to be slidably moved in an up and down direction at an upper portion of the lower forming roll unit, a forming roll gap adjustment unit that adjusts an initial gap between the lower forming roll and the upper forming roll, wherein a worm wheel and a worm gear are operated in an adjustment block of each upper portion of the both-side stand frames and an adjustment screw that is screw-engaged to a center of the worm wheel in an up and down direction adjusts an up-down direction position of the both-side upper sliding blocks, and a spring unit that is disposed between the adjustment screw and the upper sliding block within each sliding groove of the both-side stand frames, absorbs a forming reaction force that is applied to the upper forming roll according to a thickness variation of a plate that is to be formed, and simultaneously maintains a forming pressure of the upper forming roll within a predetermined range.

A long structural member that, in a transverse section of one part or all of the long structural member in a longitudinal direction, includes the following configuration. A top plate part, a first flange part, and a second flange part are flat. A first side plate part, a first upper corner part, and a first lower corner part constitute a first thick-wall part. A thickness of the first thick-wall part is greater than a thickness of the top plate part and is greater than a thickness of the first flange part. A second side plate part, a second upper corner part, and a second lower corner part constitute a second thick-wall part. A thickness of the second thick-wall part is greater than the thickness of the top plate part and is greater than a thickness of the second flange part.

An apparatus for producing a tailored sheet metal strip, comprising at least one welding station, by means of which at least two sheet metal strips can be welded to one another along their longitudinal edges, and at least two strip feeding devices for respectively feeding one of the sheet metal strips into the at least one welding station, wherein the at least two strip feeding devices and the at least one welding station define a production line. A further-processing station for further processing is integrated in the production line downstream of the at least one welding station in the strip running direction and is equipped with tools for applying reinforcing material, to local points of at least one of the sheet metal strips which are connected to one another, for punching holes and/or for forming at least one of the sheet metal strips which are connected to one another.

A manufacturing method of press-formed article according to the present invention includes a step of placing a flat plate member between a first die and a second die, and a step of causing a first press portion and a second press portion approach each other, thereby pressing the flat plate member. In the step of placing, the flat plate member is placed so that a first main surface and a second main surface align with a vertical direction. In the step of pressing, the flat plate member is vertically pressed by causing the first press portion and the second press portion to approach each other in the vertical direction, and a thick portion is formed on the flat plate member by causing a part of a material of the flat plate member in the vertical direction to flow into a thickened portion-forming section formed on a first opposing surface.

A manufacturing method of press-molded article of the present invention comprises a step of placing a member to be pressed in a press molding apparatus and a step of pressing a flat plate portion of the member to be pressed by bringing a first press portion and a second press portion closer to each other. A first opposing surface and a second opposing surface, while facing to each other, keep in contact with the flat plate portion during pressing. In the press step, a thick part is formed on the flat plate portion by allowing a part of a material of the flat plate portion to flow, in a press direction, into a thickened portion-forming section formed on the first opposing surface. The second opposing surface is moved to the press direction as the flat plate portion is pressed by the first press portion and the second press portion.

A panel assembly is formed by a plurality of bonds between two sheet materials in a face to face relationship to form a preform. The plurality of bonds define a closed perimeter region between the two sheet materials and an open perimeter region between the two sheet materials. The preform may be formed into a predefined shape. Pressurized fluid is applied through an inlet into the open perimeter region to expand the preform. The pressurized fluid expands the open perimeter region such that the two sheet materials expand in an opposing direction, thereby defining an expanded open perimeter region. The closed perimeter region between the two sheet materials remains vacant of the pressurized fluid such that the closed perimeter region is not expanded. The expanded open perimeter region is filled with a filler material for improving a performance characteristic of the panel assembly, e.g., strength, sound absorption, or stiffness.